Things to do: Mule Day Parade, barn bashes, antiques and early Easter fun

Jay Powell, The Daily Herald
·3 min read
A woman rides her horse through the Maury County Park during the annual Mule Day event in Columbia, Tenn. on Mar. 29, 2023. Mule Day is an annual event in its 49th year that celebrates Columbia's history as a world renowned mule trading post.
A woman rides her horse through the Maury County Park during the annual Mule Day event in Columbia, Tenn. on Mar. 29, 2023. Mule Day is an annual event in its 49th year that celebrates Columbia's history as a world renowned mule trading post.

Mule Day week has officially begun, with lots of events, live music and plenty of opportunities to shop local.

More: Plan your Mule Day schedule here with new, favorite events

1. Mule Day Parade and more

This weekend's major highlight will of course be the return of the widely-popular and celebrated Mule Day Parade.

This year's parade, which kicks off at 11 a.m. will once again take the traditional route along West 7th Street, led by this year's grand marshal Mike Wolfe.

Prior to the parade, The James K. Polk Home & Museum will also host its annual Bloodys and Biscuits from 9-11 a.m.

Mule Day events will continue at Maury County Park, including live music, competitions and more entertainment at the Ridley 4-H Center, 850 Lion Parkways, later in the evening starting at 7 p.m.

2. David and Lori Phelps Mule Day Barn Bash

David and Lori Phelps will host a special Mule Day concert Saturday at their Culleoka barn, which will include a pre-show garden party.
David and Lori Phelps will host a special Mule Day concert Saturday at their Culleoka barn, which will include a pre-show garden party.

A concert at David and Lori Phelps' historic barn is always a wonderful occasion, an is usually always a sellout show.

While their annual Christmas concerts are always a great tradition, this year the Phelps are hosting a special Mule Day show starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Dove Award-winning singer will present a concert celebrating Americana, with special guests Vocal Spectrum and Down River Collective joining in on the fun.

Also be sure to visit the Barn & Bale concession stand for refreshments and merchandise.

Tickets range from $55-$95 and are available at www.DavidPhelps.com.

There will also be a limited number of $125 tickets available for a Pre-show Garden Party, which starts at 5 p.m.

3. Mule Day Eve at Riverside Antiques

Celebrate Mule Day prior to Saturday's parade at Riverside Antiques, who will host a Mule Day Eve night of fun, with shopping, food and live music.
Celebrate Mule Day prior to Saturday's parade at Riverside Antiques, who will host a Mule Day Eve night of fun, with shopping, food and live music.

Celebrate a festive pre-parade party this Friday at Riverside Antiques, 901 Riverside Drive.

Riverside Antiques will host a special Mule Day Eve from 5-8 p.m. Friday.

Shop among the stores inventory while enjoying live music by Codetta Smith. Riverside Antiques will also be serving hors d'oeuvres provided by Oneonetwo Events.

The event will also be BYOB.

4. Easter at The Park in Lewisburg

Destiney Church will celebrate Easter early with Easter at The Park, which will feature 50,000 eggs, inflatable, bike giveaways and more at the Lewisburg Columbia State campus.
Destiney Church will celebrate Easter early with Easter at The Park, which will feature 50,000 eggs, inflatable, bike giveaways and more at the Lewisburg Columbia State campus.

Lewisburg residents will get an early start on Easter this weekend with a massive egg hunt, prize giveaways and more.

Destiny Church will host Easter at The Park, which will take place starting at noon Saturday at Lewisburg's Columbia State Campus, 980 S. Ellington Parkway.

The event, which is free to attend, will include lots of kid-friendly fun, such as inflatables, bike giveaways and an egg hunt which includes 50,000 eggs waiting to be found.

5. Live entertainment

Chief Smiley Ricks & The C-Town Specials will perform at Asgard Brewing Co. & Taproom, 104 E. 4th St., starting at 7 p.m. Friday.

Stephanie Adlington Duo will perform at Farmstead Cellar, 803 S. Main St., starting at 6 p.m. Friday.

Scott Holt will perform at Variety Records in downtown Columbia from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.

The Rebel Bar and Grill, 307 Riverside Drive, will host a Mule Day bash starting at noon Saturday, featuring performances by The Loaded Dogs, The Wentzel Brothers Band and Throwback.

Aaron Sizemore Band will perform at The Tilted Mule, 102 Depot St., starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Escape Band will perform at Embers Tavern & Grille, 2513 Hospitality Drive, starting at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Amylase will perform at The Boondox, 3543 Highway 431, starting at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Alex Pierce will perform at Twisted Copper Brewing Co., 107 S. Main St. in Mt. Pleasant, starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Krystal King will perform at The Rebel Bar and Grill starting at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Jay Powell
Jay Powell

Jay Powell covers events and entertainment for The Daily Herald. Contact him at jpowell@c-dh.net or follow him on Twitter @JayPowellCDH.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Things to do: Mule Day Parade, barn bashes, antiques and early Easter fun